Neeraj Rohmetra
JAMMU, Nov 3: Taking serious note of callousness on part of several senior officials, Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Arun Kumar has sought an explanation from them for their failure to furnish the Budget estimates, despite several reminders.
Issuing stern warning to the officials, which include several Additional DCs, Regional Directors, Collector Agrarian Reforms, Tehsildars and several SDMs, the Financial Commissioner vide letter bearing No. FC (Bgt) 725/2010-11 dated October 31 has even threatened to stop the salary of the delinquents in case they fail to submit the necessary details within a week’s time.
Sources said, “the explanation has been called for non-submission of Budget Estimates for the 2015-16 and Revised Estimates for the year 2014-15.”
The official communication says, “whereas vide No. FC(Bgt) 725/2010-11 dated August 1,2014 followed by reminder vide number even dated September 30, this year all the Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) were directed to ensure submission of Budget Estimates for the year 2015-16 and Revised Estimated for the year 2014-15 by or before September 15”.
“However, till date almost nil progress has been reported to the office of Financial Commissioner (Revenue) except for few DDOs. This has happened despite the fact that several reminders have been issued these officials across the State”, sources asserted.
The list of officials, which has also been sent to the office of Divisional Commissioner Jammu and Kashmir, includes 10 Additional DCs, eight Regional Directors, four Collector Land Acquisition, 17 Collector Agrarian Reforms and several Tehsildars, SDMs.
“The name so defaulting DDOs included that of Additional DC Jammu, Kathua, Poonch, Doda, Rajouri, Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Kupwara and Shopian. The Regional Director Survey Land Records includes those from Jammu, Doda, Udhampur, Rajouri, Srinagar Baramulla and Anantnag”, sources said adding, “others named in the list includes Assistant Commissioner, Nazool, Jammu, Principal RTI Jammu; Collector Land Acquisition for Railway Udhampur, Thein Dam, Defence Udhampur, Rajouri, Baramulla”.
Several SDMs have also been named in the list which included those posted at Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Nowhera, Akhnoor, Mendhar, Basohli, Reasi, Ganderbal, Karnah, Sopore, Bani, Dudu Basantgar, Mahore, Machil, Uri, Keran and SDMs of all newly created units except Banihal, Beerwah.
Tehsildars named in the list included those posted at Akhnoor, Bhaderwah, Banihal, Basohli, Rajouri, Billlawar, Bishnah, Budhal, Chenani, Chattroo, Doda, Gandoh, Hiranagar, Jammu, Rec. Jammu, Kalakote, Kathua, Kishtwar, Mendhar, Marwah, Mahore, Nowshera, Paddar, Poonch, Ramban, Ramnagar ,R S Pura, Reasi, Samba, Sunderbani, Surankote, Thannamandi, Thathri, Udhampur, Budgam, Dooru, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Kupwara, Pampore, Pattan, Pulwama, Shopian, Sonawari, N T Mahil, Singhara, Sopore, South Srinagar, Tangmarg, Uri and Tehsildars of all newly created units except Larnoo, Kern, Aripal, Kunzer, Tulail.
Annoyed over the state of affairs, the letter says, “the non-submission of Estimates well in time has made the position of this office embarrassing as the Budget discussions are likely to be held with Finance Department very shortly”.
“It transpires that the DDOs instead of giving their personal attention to such an important task have slept over the matter since long as a result of which this office may not be in a position to submit the estimates to the Administrative Department”, says the letter.
“Whereas the Financial Commissioner (Revenue) while taking serious notice of the issue has desired to call an explanation from the defaulting DDOs with the directions to furnish the Budget Estimates within a week’s time failing which necessary order for stoppage of salary of the concerned officials shall be issues”, says the document, adding, “now, therefore, the officials should positively furnish the Budget Estimates by or before November 15”.
Source in the Department said, “though several DDOs have assured to submit the necessary details, nothing had happened on ground”.
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